Are shark nets outdated technology, or essential for beach safety? Photo: Humane Society International Australia.
After a spate of shark attacks in Sydney, Wollongong City Council has voted to reaffirm its support for the State Government’s shark net program.
It’s a shift in tone for the council, which in 2021 voted to write to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to request a review of the practice.
At its most recent meeting however, councillors voted to reaffirm their support for the DPI’s Shark Smart program in its entirety, including the use of nets.
Councillor Jess Whittaker initially put a motion calling for the installation of additional first response kits on the region’s more remote beaches.
“[Attacks] are traumatic for victims and communities that are directly affected,” she said.
“We don’t want people to live in fear; we want to educate and empower our community about conditions that heighten risk, so they can make informed decisions about entering wild places and how to respond in an emergency.
“Our lifeguards play a critical role, but in a rapid trauma response every second matters.
“Trauma kits provide the opportunity for a really good first aid response in more remote areas where emergency services might take longer to reach.”
The general manager told the council that a number of Surf Life Saving clubs in the Illawarra had the kits as a part of their first aid response, and bleed control kits were available at emergency beacons.
Councillor Dan Hayes suggested altering Cr Whittaker’s proposal to indicate support for the full range of the Shark Smart program.
He said the council was not actually opposed to shark nets.
“The benefit of Shark Smart is it has so many programs, we’re not just putting all our eggs in one basket,” he said.
“My understanding is the council is supportive of shark nets until a better solution comes along and it hasn’t.
“I don’t think that’s too controversial.”
Councillor Richard Martin and Lord Mayor Tania Brown said shark nets could not be removed until other technology could take their place – however, they did not indicate what that technology would look like.
The mayor called for the State Government to take leadership on the issue, and said the council could not be responsible for any move that might lead to more fatalities.
Cr Whittaker contended that the nets attracted more sharks to netted beaches due to bycatch.
Earlier this year beaches in the northern suburbs of Wollongong were closed after a dead baby humpback whale died tangled in the nets and attracted a large number of sharks to the area.
It cost the council $44,000 to retrieve and dump the body, because although the State Government is responsible for the nets, the council is responsible for the beach the body washed up on.
“I’m not sure what getting to the point of having enough technology to remove the nets actually means,” Cr Whittaker said.
“But I welcome the support for more rapid trauma kits.”
Cr Hayes’ amendment to the original motion was supported unanimously.
